Rogowski coil positioning and retaining apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for positioning and retaining a current transformer, such as a Rogowski coil, about a conductor includes at least two members, a coupling mechanism, and a non-conductive securing structure. Each member of the apparatus includes a respective retention structure configured to receive a respective section of the Rogowski coil. The coupling mechanism is configured to movably deploy at least one of the apparatus members relative to the other and around the conductor, which may be a distribution transformer power node. The securing structure is configured to engage the conductor and retain the apparatus members in fixed positions relative to the conductor and to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority upon and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/089,480, which was filed on Oct. 8, 2020and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to use of a Rogowski coil and,more particularly, to an apparatus for positioning and retaining aRogowski coil around a conductor, such as a distribution transformerpower node.

BACKGROUND

A Rogowski coil is an electrical device for measuring alternatingcurrent (AC), high-speed current pulses, or other persistent ortransient signals in a conductor. The construction and use of a Rogowskicoil are known by those of skill in the art. To obtain most accurateresults, the conductor with which a Rogowski coil is used should passthrough the center of the Rogowski coil. Maintaining centricity of theconductor may be difficult depending on the construction of the Rogowskicoil and the location of the conductor to be sensed.

All of the subject matter discussed in the Background section is notnecessarily prior art and should not be assumed to be prior art merelyas a result of its discussion in the Background section. Along theselines, any recognition of problems in the prior art discussed in theBackground section or associated with such subject matter should not betreated as prior art unless expressly stated to be prior art. Instead,the discussion of any subject matter in the Background section should betreated as part of the inventors' approach to solving the particularproblem, which, in and of itself, may also be inventive.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following is a summary of the present disclosure to provide anintroductory understanding of some features and context. This summary isnot intended to identify key or critical elements of the presentdisclosure or to delineate the scope of the disclosure. This summarypresents certain concepts of the present disclosure in a simplified formas a prelude to the more detailed description that is later presented.

The device, method, and system embodiments described in this disclosure(i.e., the teachings of this disclosure) enable placement and retentionof one or more Rogowski coils on or about respective one or moreconductors, such as power nodes of a distribution transformer. Thedisclosure describes how to attain stability and rigidity of theRogowski coil about the conductor. The disclosure also describes anapparatus that may maintain a substantially uniform distance from thecenter of the conductor to each section of the Rogowski coil.

According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for positioning andretaining a current transformer, such as a Rogowski coil, about aconductor (bare or insulated) includes at least two members, a couplingmechanism, and a non-conductive securing structure. Each member of theapparatus includes a respective retention structure configured toreceive a respective section of the Rogowski coil. The couplingmechanism is configured to movably deploy at least one of the apparatusmembers relative to the other and around the conductor. The securingstructure is configured to engage the conductor and retain the apparatusmembers in fixed positions relative to the conductor and to each other.

According to another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for positioningand retaining a current transformer, such as a Rogowski coil, about aconductor includes a pair of members, a coupling mechanism, and a pairof non-conductive arched elements. According to this embodiment, a firstmember of the pair defines a first pocket and includes a first bracketconfigured to receive a first section of the Rogowski coil. The secondmember of the pair defines a second pocket and includes a second bracketconfigured to receive a second section of the Rogowski coil. Thecoupling mechanism is configured to movably deploy at least one of thefirst member and the second member relative to each other and around theconductor. A first one of the arched elements includes a tab that isinsertable into and out of the first pocket of the first member. Thefirst arched element is configured to engage the conductor and retainthe first member in a fixed position relative to the conductor when atleast one of the first member and the second member is movably deployedaround the conductor. The second arched element includes a tab that isinsertable into and out of the second pocket of the second member. Thesecond arched element is configured to engage the conductor opposite thefirst arched element and retain the second member in a fixed positionrelative to the conductor and the first member when at least one of thefirst member and the second member is movably deployed around theconductor.

According to another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for positioningand retaining a current transformer, such as a Rogowski coil, about aconductor includes two or more non-conductive fins and a zip tie. Afirst fin is configured to receive a first section of the Rogowski coiland includes a first fin body and a first bracket. The first fin bodydefines a first coil aperture and a first coupling mechanism aperture.The first coil aperture is positioned proximate an end of the first finbody furthest from the first bracket. The first coupling mechanismaperture is positioned proximate an end of the first fin body nearestthe first bracket. The first coil aperture is further defined by one ormore internal walls of the first fin body. Similarly, a second fin isconfigured to receive a second section of the Rogowski coil and includesa second fin body and a second bracket. The second fin body defines asecond coil aperture and a second coupling mechanism aperture. Thesecond coil aperture is positioned proximate an end of the second finbody furthest from the second bracket. The second coupling mechanismaperture is positioned proximate an end of the second fin body nearestthe second bracket. The second coil aperture is further defined by oneor more internal walls of the second fin body. The zip tie is positionedthrough at least the first coupling mechanism aperture and the secondcoupling mechanism aperture. The first bracket and the second bracketform at least part of a securing structure configured to engage theconductor and retain the first member and the second member in fixedpositions relative to the conductor and to each other.

According to a further embodiment, the apparatus may include a third finconfigured to receive a third section of the Rogowski coil. The thirdfin includes a third fin body and a third bracket. The third fin bodydefines a third coil aperture and a third coupling mechanism aperture.The third coil aperture is positioned proximate an end of the third finbody furthest from the third bracket. The third coupling mechanismaperture is positioned proximate an end of the third fin body nearestthe third bracket. The third coil aperture is further defined by one ormore internal walls of the third fin body. In this embodiment, the firstbracket, the second bracket, and the third bracket form at least part ofthe securing structure.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed forsecuring a Rogowski coil symmetrically around or about a conductor, suchas a distribution transformer power node. According to this embodiment,a first section of the Rogowski coil in positioned in a first retentionstructure of a first member of a multi-member apparatus. At least asecond section of the Rogowski coil is positioned in at least a secondretention structure of at least a second member of the multi-memberapparatus. One or more members of the multi-member apparatus are thenmovably deployed relative to one another and to the conductor so as toposition the Rogowski coil about the conductor when the multi-memberapparatus is deployed. The multi-member apparatus is then secured to theconductor with an inner clamping structure of the multi-memberapparatus. The inner clamping structure may have at least a firstclamping element integrated with the first member and a second clampingelement integrated with the second member. The first and second clampingelements physically oppose each other.

This Brief Summary has been provided to describe certain concepts in asimplified form that are further described in more detail in theDetailed Description. The Brief Summary does not limit the scope of theclaimed subject matter, but rather the words of the claims themselvesdetermine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following drawings, wherein like labels refer to like partsthroughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The sizes andrelative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawnto scale. For example, the shapes of various elements are selected,enlarged, and positioned to improve drawing legibility. The particularshapes of the elements as drawn have been selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings. One or more embodiments are describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1K depict various views of an exemplary apparatus forpositioning and retaining a Rogowski coil about a conductor, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate use of the apparatus of FIG. 1 to position andretain a flexible Rogowski coil about a simulated distributiontransformer power node of a first size, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate use of the apparatus of FIG. 1 to position andretain a flexible Rogowski coil about a simulated distributiontransformer power node of a second size, in accordance with anotheralternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an exemplary transformer monitor system in whichan apparatus for positioning and retaining a Rogowski coil about aconductor may be used to secure one or more Rogowski coils about powernodes of a distribution transformer, in accordance with anotheralternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5G depict various views of a second exemplary apparatus forpositioning and retaining a Rogowski coil about a conductor, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram of an exemplary distributiontransformer monitor with which one or more Rogowski coils and associatedpositioning apparatus may be used, in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference tothis detailed description and the accompanying figures. The terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments onlyand is not limiting to the claims unless a court or accepted body ofcompetent jurisdiction determines that such terminology is limiting.Unless specifically defined in the present disclosure, the terminologyused herein is to be given its traditional meaning as known in therelevant art.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and the like. Inother instances, certain structures associated with distributiontransformers, Rogowski coils, current transformers (CTs), electronicmonitors, and the like have not been shown or described in detail toavoid unnecessarily obscuring more detailed descriptions of theembodiments.

The device, method, and system embodiments described in this disclosure(i.e., the teachings of this disclosure) enable placement of one or moreRogowski coils or other current transformers on respective conductors,such as power nodes of a distribution transformer. The disclosuredescribes positioning and retention apparatus, including clamps,clamping methods, and other structures and acts, that enable a stabilityand rigidity of the Rogowski coil about the power node. The disclosuredescribes how to provide a substantially uniform radius from the centerof the conductor (e.g., distribution transformer power node) to eachsection of the Rogowski coil.

FIGS. 1A-1K depict various views of one exemplary apparatus 100 forpositioning and retaining a Rogowski coil about a conductor, such as adistribution transformer power node, in accordance with one embodimentof the present disclosure. To facilitate the present discussion, any oneor more of FIGS. 1A-1K may be referred to individually or collectivelyas FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1A is a top, front perspective view and FIG. 1B is a bottom, rearperspective view of the exemplary Rogowski coil positioning andretention apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 includes, inter alia, two ormore members 102, 104 (two shown), a coupling mechanism 110, and anon-conductive securing structure 112. The first member 102 includes afirst retention structure 106. The second member 104 includes a secondretention structure 108. The first and second retention structures 106,108 are sized, shaped, and otherwise configured to receive respectivefirst and second sections of a Rogowski coil 201 (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A,and 3B). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the retentionstructures 106, 108 may be L-shaped or U-shaped brackets sized andshaped to accommodate the diameter of a particular Rogowski coil 201 tobe retained. In some embodiments, the diameter of the Rogowski coil 201to be retained by the positioning and retention apparatus 100 may bebetween about one-half inch (1.27 cm) and about two inches (5.08 cm).

When the apparatus 100 is deployed, the Rogowski coil 201 retained bythe apparatus 100 has a desired, substantially constant radius aroundthe conductor based on the characteristics of the retention structures106, 108 and the members 102, 104 (e.g., rigidity, length, and so forth)so as to enable the Rogowski coil 201 to function properly taking intoaccount the diameter of the conductor, the peak AC current being carriedby the conductor, and other parameters as are known in the art.

The coupling mechanism 110, which may be a hinge, a flexible member, amovable bracket, an adhesive, a set of interlocking structures, or thelike, is arranged to movably deploy the first and second members 102,104 of the apparatus 100 relative to each other and around theconductor. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , thecoupling mechanism 110 is a hinge that includes a first hinge part 125integrated with or attached to the first member 102 of the apparatus 100and a second hinge part 124 integrated with or attached to the secondmember 104 of the apparatus 100, where the second hinge part 124 isconfigured to receive the first hinge part 125. In such an embodiment, afirst part of the coupling mechanism 110 is integrated with or attachedto the first member 102 of the apparatus 100, and a second part of thecoupling mechanism 110 is integrated with or attached to the secondmember 104 of the apparatus 100.

The securing structure 112 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a pair ofarched elements 114, 116. The first arched element 114 may beconstructed to be partially insertable into a void or pocket of thefirst member 102, and the second arched element 116 may be constructedto be partially insertable into a void or pocket of the second member104 as illustrated in FIG. 1J. In this embodiment, each arched element114, 116 includes a tab 130, 131 that is adjustably insertable into aguided mating pocket 133, 134 of its associated member 102, 104. Such aconstruction of the arched element 114, 116 allows the arched element tobe adaptable to various diameters of conductors around which a Rogowskicoil 201 may be employed. In one embodiment, the tabs 130, 131 of thearched elements 114, 116 and the mating pockets 133, 134 may be sized tofacilitate engagement with conductors having diameters of about 0.25 in(0.63 cm) to about 3 in. (7.62 cm) or more, while enabling the apparatus100 to close completely around the conductor. When the apparatus 100with a dual arched element securing structure 112 is deployed toposition and retain a Rogowski coil 201 about a conductor, the firstarched element 114 engages the conductor and retains the first member102 in a fixed position relative to the conductor, and the second archedelement 116 engages the conductor and retains the second member 104 in afixed position relative to the conductor.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the first and second securingstructure elements 114, 116 become positioned physically opposite eachother when moved with the coupling mechanism to retain the Rogowski coil201 around the conductor. In such a case, the positioning and retentionapparatus 100 functions as to clamp the Rogowski coil into positionaround the conductor (e.g., a distribution transformer power node). As aresult, when the apparatus 100 is deployed in this embodiment, the firstand second members 102, 104 together form a substantially disc-likeshape.

In some embodiments, the positioning and retention apparatus 100 orportions thereof are formed substantially of plastic or a plastic-likematerial. For example, one or more of the portions, structures, members,or the like are formed of a strong, flexible, electricallynon-conductive material. In other embodiments, the positioning andretention apparatus 100 or portions thereof are formed substantially ofa ceramic or a ceramic-like material. For example, one or more of theportions, structures, members, or the like are formed from a ceramicmaterial. In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second members 102,104 of the positioning and retention apparatus 100 are formedsubstantially of plastic, and the first and second securing structureelements 114, 116 are formed substantially of a ceramic material. Inother alternative embodiments, some or all portions of the positioningand retention apparatus 100 are made of a composite material.

Optionally, the positioning and retention apparatus 100 includes abinding mechanism 118. The binding mechanism 118 may include a clip,tab, zip tie, bracket, block, locking structure, adhesive, or the like.In at least one exemplary embodiment, the coupling mechanism 110 of thepositioning and retention apparatus 100 is a hinge and the bindingmechanism 118 is a pair of tabs and a zip tie. In such as case, thecoupling mechanism 110 may include a first part 125 of its hingeintegrated into the first member 102 of the apparatus 100 and a secondpart 124 of the hinge integrated into the second member 104 of theapparatus. Additionally, the binding mechanism 118 may include a firsttab 120 integrated into the first member 102 of the apparatus 100 and asecond tab 121 integrated into the second member 104 of the apparatus100. In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 is deployed, the firstand second members 102, 104 rotate about the coupling mechanism hingesuch that the securing structure 112 physically contacts the conductor(e.g., distribution transformer power node). Subsequently, the bindingmechanism's zip tie or other securing implement is used to permanentlyor semi-permanently lock, secure, or bind the tabs 120, 121 of thebinding mechanism 118 together, thereby binding the first and secondmembers 102, 104 together and retaining the securing structure 112around the conductor.

In some embodiments, a Rogowski coil positioning and retention apparatus100 may be sized to clamp around or about a distribution transformerpower node 405 (see FIG. 4B) having a diameter of one-quarter inch (0.25in), one-half inch (0.5 in.), three-quarter inch (0.75 in.), one inch(1.0 in.), or some other diameter. In other embodiments, the Rogowskicoil positioning and retention apparatus 100 may be sized to clamparound or about a distribution transformer power node 405 having adiameter of between about one inch (2.54 cm) and about three inches(7.62 cm). Other diameters of distribution transformer power nodes orconductors are contemplated. Accordingly, it is recognized that a singlepositioning and retention apparatus 100 may be used to position andretain a Rogowski coil 201 about a wide range of distributiontransformer power nodes of different sizes. One of skill in the art willrecognize that use of the word “diameter” is not limiting. For example,in cases where a conductor (e.g., distribution transformer power node)is not cylindrical (e.g., having a cross-section that has a circleshape), the use of the word diameter may be replaced by one or moreother cross-section related terms, such as diagonal, length, width, andso forth. Accordingly, the Rogowski coil positioning and retentionapparatus 100 of the present disclosure may be used to position andretain a Rogowski coil 201 to a conductor having a cross-section of anygeometry, such as a square, a rectangle, an oval, a triangle, or someother shape or irregular form.

FIGS. 1C-1H are, respectively, a front view, rear view, left view, rightview, top view, and bottom view of the Rogowski coil positioning andretention apparatus 100. FIGS. 1I, 1J, and 1K are, respectively, threedifferent exploded views of the Rogowski coil positioning and retentionapparatus 100.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate use of the positioning and retention apparatus100 of FIG. 1 to mechanically position and retain a flexible Rogowskicoil 201 about or around a conduit pipe 202 simulating a distributiontransformer power node 405 (see FIG. 4B) of a first size, in accordancewith an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3A-3Billustrate use of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 to mechanically positionand retain a flexible Rogowski coil 201 about or around a larger sizedconduit pipe 301 simulating a distribution transformer power node of asecond size, in accordance with another alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, after the coupling mechanism110 deploys the first member 102 relative to the second member 104 andaround the conductor, the first retention structure 106 and the secondretention structure 108 are positioned so as to face each other. Thesize of a conductor, such as a distribution transformer power node, maybe determined by the size of the conductor's outside diameter. In atleast some cases, the size of a conductor may range from an outsidediameter of one-half inch (1.27 cm) to an outside diameter of one inch(2.54 cm) or more.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary transformer monitor system inwhich an apparatus 100 for positioning and retaining a Rogowski coil 201about a conductor may be used to secure one or more Rogowski coils 201about power nodes 405 of a distribution transformer 403, in accordancewith another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. In thiscase, the transformer monitor system includes a transformer monitor 401electromechanically coupled to a distribution transformer 403. TwoRogowski coils 201 are positioned about respective distributiontransformer power nodes 405. The outputs of the Rogowski coils 405 arerouted back to the transformer monitor 401 for complete or partialprocessing (e.g., integration and conversion into data to be reported,or integration and then analysis versus various thresholds, with theresults of the analysis to be reported) and reporting to a backend(e.g., cloud) server. To avoid unnecessarily obfuscating FIG. 4B, onlyone distribution power transformer node 405 is identified by a referencenumeral; however, three exemplary distribution transformer power nodes405 are illustrated.

The positioning and retention apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 may be used tomechanically position and retain each Rogowski coil 201 about arespective distribution transformer power node 405. To avoidunnecessarily obfuscating FIG. 4B, the positioning and retentionapparatus 100, 500 that would be used with each Rogowski coil 201 is notshown, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize how such anapparatus 100, 500 may be used to retain a Rogowski coil 201 about itsrespective distribution transformer power node 405 based on thedescription of FIGS. 1-3 above and FIG. 5 below.

FIGS. 5A-5G (collectively referred to as FIG. 5 ) depict various viewsof a second exemplary apparatus 500 for positioning and retaining aRogowski coil 201 about a conductor, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure. According to this embodiment, theretention apparatus 500 includes a plurality of flexible fins 501-503(three shown, although only two or more are necessary) and a couplingmechanism 507. As shown in FIG. 5F, each fin 501-503 includes a body 513connected at one end to a non-conductive bracket 511. The fin bracket511 may be molded with the fin body 513 or separately attached (e.g., bywelding or otherwise) to the fin body 513. For example, the fin body 513and the bracket 511 may be made of rubber, plastic, or othernon-conductive materials. The fin body 513 defines a coil aperture 505proximate the end of the body 513 furthest from the bracket 511 and acoupling mechanism aperture 509 proximate the end of the body 513nearest the bracket 511. The thickness of the fin body 513 at thelocation of the coil aperture 505 defines the height or depth of theinternal wall(s) 515 defining the coil aperture 505. Similarly, thethickness of the fin body 513 at the location of the coupling mechanismaperture 509 defines the height or depth of the wall(s) defining thecoupling mechanism aperture 509. Where the thickness of the fin body 513is uniform or approximately uniform, the heights or depths of the wallsof the coil and coupling mechanism apertures 505, 509 are equivalent orapproximately equivalent.

According to this embodiment, the internal wall(s) 515 of the coilaperture 505 in the fin body 513 forms a retention structure configuredto receive and support the section of the Rogowski coil 201 which passesthrough the coil aperture 505. Similarly, the wall(s) of the couplingmechanism aperture 509 in the fin body 513 forms a retention structureconfigured to receive and support the section of the coupling mechanism507 which passes through the coupling mechanism aperture 509.

The coupling mechanism 507, which may be a zip tie (or equivalently, acable tie or a tie wrap) as illustrated in FIG. 5 , is arranged tomovably deploy the fins 501-503 relative to each other and around theconductor (e.g., a distribution transformer power node 405). Portions ofthe coupling mechanism 507, in this embodiment, may pass throughappropriately sized apertures 509 in the fins 501-503 to facilitatemovement of the fins 501-503 about the conductor.

In this embodiment, the brackets 511 of the fins 501-503 collectivelyform a securing structure configured to engage the conductor and retainthe fins 510-503 in fixed positions relative to the conductor and toeach other. As the coupling mechanism 507 (e.g., zip tie) is adjusted(e.g., tightened), the brackets 511 are pulled closer to the conductoruntil they engage the conductor to retain the fins 501-503 and theRogowski coil 201 in fixed positions relative to the conductor. When theembodiment of the positioning and retention apparatus 500 illustrated inFIG. 5 is used, the Rogowski coil 201 retained by the apparatus 500 maybe set to have a desired, substantially constant radius around theconductor based on the characteristics of the fins 501-503 (e.g.,rigidity, length, and so forth) so as to enable the Rogowski coil 201 tofunction properly taking into account the diameter of the conductor, thepeak AC current being carried by the conductor, and other parameters asare known in the art.

To use the positioning and retaining apparatus 500 as illustrated inFIG. 5 , a Rogowski coil 201 is opened (if previously closed) and oneend of the coil 201 (preferably the smaller diameter end) is passedthrough the coil aperture 505 in the body 513 of each fin 501-503 usedto form the apparatus 500. Additionally, a strap portion 519 of thecoupling mechanism 507 is passed through the coupling mechanism aperture509 in the body 513 of each fin 510-503. One of ordinary skill in theart will readily recognize and appreciate that the order of passing theRogowski coil 201 and the coupling mechanism 507 through theirrespective apertures 505, 509 of each fin body 513 may be reversed suchthat the strap portion 519 of the coupling mechanism 507 is passedthrough the coupling mechanism aperture 509 in the body 513 of each fin510-503 before an end of the Rogowski coil 201 is passed through thecoil aperture 505 in the body 513 of each fin 501-503.

A head end 517 of the coupling mechanism 507 is then secured to thestrap portion 519 of the coupling mechanism 507 to form a loose loop.The loose loop is then positioned around or about the conductor (e.g., adistribution transformer power node 405) and the strap portion 517 ofthe coupling mechanism 507 is pulled so as to cause the securingstructure of the apparatus 500 (formed from the brackets 511 of the fins501-503) to engage the conductor (e.g., the metal conduit or itsinsulation) and retain the fins 501-503 in fixed positions relative tothe conductor and to each other.

FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram of an exemplary distributiontransformer monitor 401 with which one or more Rogowski coils 201 andassociated positioning and retention apparatus 100, 500 may be used, inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. Thedistribution transformer monitor 401 includes, inter alia, a processor601, a supervisor/control section 603 (e.g., memory arranged to storeexecutable software instructions, data, and the like), a sensor section605, one or more power sections 604, 606 (a low power section 604 and ahigh power section 606 being shown), communications facilities 607,identification and user interface sections 609, and a metering section611. As indicated by its dashed lines, some or all portions of thesensor section 605 may be arranged inside a housing of the distributiontransformer monitor 401, partially inside and partially outside thehousing of the distribution transformer monitor 401, or completelyoutside the housing of the distribution transformer monitor 401.

In operation, analog output from each Rogowski coil 201 is supplied tothe metering section 611 of the distribution transformer monitor 401,which performs certain operations, such as integration of the Rogowskicoil output, analog-to-digital conversion of the resulting integration,and generation of a bit stream for communicating its digital output tothe processor 601 using a selected data communication protocol, such asthe universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) communicationprotocol. The processor 601 may perform certain analysis on the datareceived from the metering section 611 in order to assess a condition ofthe distribution transformer 403 based on the output of the Rogowskicoil(s) 201 and then communicate the result of that analysis to thebackend (cloud) server via the communications facilities 607.Alternatively, the processor 601 may generate an appropriate signal foruse by the communications facilities 607 to simply communicate theoutput of the metering section 611 to the backend server for analysisthere.

Having now set forth certain embodiments, further clarification ofcertain terms used herein may be helpful to providing a more completeunderstanding of that which is considered inventive in the presentdisclosure.

In the embodiments of present disclosure, one or more particularRogowski coil clamps are illustrated and described. The variouscomponents and devices of the embodiments are interchangeably describedherein as “coupled,” “connected,” “attached,” and the like. It isrecognized that once assembled, the system provides the benefits asdescribed in the present disclosure. The materials and the junctionsformed at the point where two or more structures meet in the presentembodiments may or may not be joined mechanically, electrically, orotherwise industrially acceptable level.

The figures in the present disclosure illustrate portions of one or morenon-limiting computing device embodiments such as one or more componentsof a distribution transformer monitor. The computing devices may includeoperative hardware found in conventional computing device apparatusessuch as one or more processors, volatile and non-volatile memory, serialand parallel input/output (I/O) circuitry compliant with variousstandards and protocols, wired and/or wireless networking circuitry(e.g., a communications transceiver), one or more user interface (UI)modules, logic, and other electronic circuitry.

Processing devices, or “processors,” as described herein, includecentral processing units (CPU's), microcontrollers (MCU), digital signalprocessors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),peripheral interface controllers (PIC), state machines, and the like.Accordingly, a processor as described herein includes any device,system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation, and such adevice may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software, or somecombination of at least two of the same. The functionality associatedwith any particular processor may be centralized or distributed, whetherlocally or remotely. Processors may interchangeably refer to any type ofelectronic control circuitry configured to execute programmed softwareinstructions. The programmed instructions may be high-level softwareinstructions, compiled software instructions, assembly-language softwareinstructions, object code, binary code, micro-code, or the like. Theprogrammed instructions may reside in internal or external memory or maybe hard-coded as a state machine or set of control signals. According tomethods and devices referenced herein, one or more embodiments describesoftware executable by the processor, which when executed, carries outone or more of the method acts.

The present application discusses several embodiments that include orotherwise cooperate with one or more computing devices. It is recognizedthat these computing devices are arranged to perform one or morealgorithms to implement various concepts taught herein. Each of saidalgorithms is understood to be a finite sequence of steps for solving alogical or mathematical problem or performing a task. Any or all of thealgorithms taught in the present disclosure may be demonstrated byformulas, flow charts, data flow diagrams, narratives in thespecification, and other such means as evident in the presentdisclosure. Along these lines, the structures to carry out thealgorithms disclosed herein include at least one processing deviceexecuting at least one software instruction retrieved from at least onememory device. The structures may, as the case may be, further includesuitable input circuits known to one of skill in the art (e.g.,keyboards, buttons, memory devices, communication circuits, touch screeninputs, and any other integrated and peripheral circuit inputs (e.g.,accelerometers, thermometers, light detection circuits and other suchsensors)), suitable output circuits known to one of skill in the art(e.g., displays, light sources, audio devices, tactile devices, controlsignals, switches, relays, and the like), and any additional circuits orother structures taught in the present disclosure. To this end, everyinvocation of means or step plus function elements in any of the claims,if so desired, will be expressly recited.

As known by one skilled in the art, a computing device has one or morememories, and each memory comprises any combination of volatile andnon-volatile computer-readable media for reading and writing. Volatilecomputer-readable media includes, for example, random access memory(RAM). Non-volatile computer-readable media includes, for example, readonly memory (ROM), magnetic media such as a hard-disk, an optical disk,a flash memory device, a CD-ROM, and/or the like. In some cases, aparticular memory is separated virtually or physically into separateareas, such as a first memory, a second memory, a third memory, etc. Inthese cases, it is understood that the different divisions of memory maybe in different devices or embodied in a single memory. The memory insome cases is a non-transitory computer medium configured to storesoftware instructions arranged to be executed by a processor. Some orall of the stored contents of a memory may include software instructionsexecutable by a processing device to carry out one or more particularacts.

The computing devices illustrated herein may further include operativesoftware found in a conventional computing device such as an operatingsystem or task loop, software drivers to direct operations through I/Ocircuitry, networking circuitry, and other peripheral componentcircuitry. In addition, the computing devices may include operativeapplication software such as network software for communicating withother computing devices, database software for building and maintainingdatabases, and task management software where appropriate fordistributing the communication and/or operational workload amongstvarious processors. In some cases, the computing device is a singlehardware machine having at least some of the hardware and softwarelisted herein, and in other cases, the computing device is a networkedcollection of hardware and software machines working together in aserver farm to execute the functions of one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. Some aspects of the conventional hardware and softwareof the computing device are not shown in the figures for simplicity.

Amongst other things, the exemplary computing devices of the presentdisclosure may be configured in any type of mobile or stationarycomputing device such as a remote cloud computer, a computing server, asmartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a wearable device (e.g.,eyeglasses, jacket, shirt, pants, socks, shoes, other clothing, hat,helmet, other headwear, wristwatch, bracelet, pendant, other jewelry),vehicle-mounted device (e.g., train, plane, helicopter, unmanned aerialvehicle, unmanned underwater vehicle, unmanned land-based vehicle,automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, hover-board, other personal orcommercial transportation device), industrial device (e.g., factoryrobotic device, home-use robotic device, retail robotic device,office-environment robotic device), or the like. Accordingly, thecomputing devices include other components and circuitry that is notillustrated, such as, for example, a display, a network interface,memory, one or more central processors, camera interfaces, audiointerfaces, and other input/output interfaces. In some cases, theexemplary computing devices may also be configured in a different typeof low-power device such as a mounted video camera, anInternet-of-Things (IoT) device, a multimedia device, a motion detectiondevice, an intruder detection device, a security device, a crowdmonitoring device, or some other device.

When so arranged as described herein, each computing device may betransformed from a generic and unspecific computing device to acombination device arranged comprising hardware and software configuredfor a specific and particular purpose such as to provide a determinedtechnical solution. When so arranged as described herein, to the extentthat any of the inventive concepts described herein are found by a bodyof competent adjudication to be subsumed in an abstract idea, theordered combination of elements and limitations are expressly presentedto provide a requisite inventive concept by transforming the abstractidea into a tangible and concrete practical application of that abstractidea.

The embodiments described herein may use computerized technology toimprove the technology of and related to Rogowski coils and distributiontransformer monitors, but other techniques and tools remain available toposition Rogowski coils and read information they produce. Therefore,the claimed subject matter does not foreclose the whole or evensubstantial Rogowski coil and distribution transformer monitortechnological areas. The innovation described herein uses both new andknown building blocks combined in new and useful ways along with otherstructures and limitations to create something more than has heretoforebeen conventionally known. The embodiments improve on computing systemswhich, when un-programmed or differently programmed, cannot perform orprovide the specific acts to collect or process the Rogowski coil anddistribution transformer monitor features claimed herein. Theembodiments described in the present disclosure improve upon knownRogowski coil and distribution transformer monitor processes andtechniques. The computerized acts described in the embodiments hereinare not purely conventional and are not well understood. Instead, theacts are new to the industry. Furthermore, the combination of acts asdescribed in conjunction with the present embodiments provides newinformation, motivation, and business results that are not alreadypresent when the acts are considered separately. There is no prevailing,accepted definition for what constitutes an abstract idea. To the extentthe concepts discussed in the present disclosure may be consideredabstract, the claims present significantly more tangible, practical, andconcrete applications of said allegedly abstract concepts. And saidclaims also improve previously known computer-based systems that performRogowski coil and distribution transformer monitor operations.

Software may include a fully executable software program, a simpleconfiguration data file, a link to additional directions, or anycombination of known software types. When a computing device updatessoftware, the update may be small or large. For example, in some cases,a computing device downloads a small configuration data file to as partof software, and in other cases, a computing device completely replacesmost or all of the present software on itself or another computingdevice with a fresh version. In some cases, software, data, or softwareand data is encrypted, encoded, and/or otherwise compressed for reasonsthat include security, privacy, data transfer speed, data cost, or thelike.

Database structures, if any are present in the distribution transformermonitor systems described herein, may be formed in a single database ormultiple databases. In some cases, hardware or software storagerepositories are shared amongst various functions of the particularsystem or systems to which they are associated. A database may be formedas part of a local system or local area network. Alternatively, or inaddition, a database may be formed remotely, such as within adistributed “cloud” computing system, which would be accessible via awide area network or some other network.

Input/output (I/O) circuitry and user interface (UI) modules includeserial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, IEEE802.11 transceivers and other transceivers compliant with protocolsadministered by one or more standard-setting bodies, displays,projectors, printers, keyboards, computer mice, microphones,micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) devices such as accelerometers, and thelike.

In at least one embodiment, devices such as the distribution transformermonitor or its constituent parts may communicate with other devices viacommunication over a network. The network may involve an Internetconnection or some other type of local area network (LAN) or wide areanetwork (WAN). Non-limiting examples of structures that enable or formparts of a network include, but are not limited to, an Ethernet, twistedpair Ethernet, digital subscriber loop (DSL) devices, wireless LAN,Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or thelike.

In the present disclosure, memory may be used in one configuration oranother. The memory may be configured to store data. In the alternativeor in addition, the memory may be a non-transitory computer readablemedium (CRM). The CRM is configured to store computing instructionsexecutable by a processor of the distribution transformer monitor. Thecomputing instructions may be stored individually or as groups ofinstructions in files. The files may include functions, services,libraries, and the like. The files may include one or more computerprograms or may be part of a larger computer program. Alternatively, orin addition, each file may include data or other computational supportmaterial useful to carry out the computing functions of a distributiontransformer monitor system that has at least one Rogowski coilelectrically coupled thereto.

Buttons, keypads, computer mice, memory cards, serial ports, bio-sensorreaders, touch screens, and the like may individually or in cooperationbe useful to a user operating the distribution transformer monitor andRogowski coil system. The devices may, for example, input controlinformation into the system. Displays, printers, memory cards, LEDindicators, temperature sensors, audio devices (e.g., speakers, piezodevice, etc.), vibrators, and the like are all useful to present outputinformation to the user operating the distribution transformer monitorand Rogowski coil system. In some cases, the input and output devicesare directly coupled to the distribution transformer monitor andelectronically coupled to a processor or other operative circuitry. Inother cases, the input and output devices pass information via one ormore communication ports (e.g., RS-232, RS-485, infrared, USB, etc.).

As described herein, for simplicity, a user may in some cases bedescribed in the context of the male gender. It is understood that auser can be of any gender, and the terms “he,” “his,” and the like asused herein are to be interpreted broadly inclusive of all known genderdefinitions. As the context may require in this disclosure, except asthe context may dictate otherwise, the singular shall mean the pluraland vice versa; all pronouns shall mean and include the person, entity,firm or corporation to which they relate; and the masculine shall meanthe feminine and vice versa.

The terms, “real-time” or “real time,” as used herein and in the claimsthat follow, are not intended to imply instantaneous processing,transmission, reception, or otherwise as the case may be. Instead, theterms, “real-time” and “real time” imply that the activity occurs overan acceptably short period of time (e.g., over a period of microsecondsor milliseconds), and that the activity may be performed on an ongoingbasis (e.g., collecting data from a Rogowski coil, processing such data,and/or delivering such data to another computing device). An example ofan activity that is not real-time is one that occurs over an extendedperiod of time (e.g., hours or days) or that occurs based onintervention or direction by a user or other activity.

In the absence of any specific clarification related to its express usein a particular context, where the terms “substantial” or “about” in anygrammatical form are used as modifiers in the present disclosure and anyappended claims (e.g., to modify a structure, a dimension, ameasurement, or some other characteristic), it is understood that thecharacteristic may vary by up to 30 percent. For example, a Rogowskicoil positioning and retention apparatus may be described as beingformed or otherwise oriented “substantially vertical,” In these cases,an apparatus that is oriented exactly vertical is oriented along a “Z”axis that is normal (i.e., 90 degrees or at right angle) to a planeformed by an “X” axis and a “Y” axis. Different from the exact precisionof the term, “vertical,” the use of “substantially” to modify thecharacteristic permits a variance of the “vertical” characteristic by upto 30 percent. Accordingly, a Rogowski coil positioning and retentionapparatus that is oriented “substantially vertical” includes anapparatus oriented between 63 degrees and 117 degrees. A Rogowski coilpositioning and retention apparatus that is oriented at 45 degrees of anX-Y plane, however, is not mounted “substantially vertical.” As anotherexample, a Rogowski coil positioning and retention apparatus having aparticular linear dimension of “between about three (3) inches and five(5) inches” includes such apparatus in which the linear dimension variesby up to 30 percent. Accordingly, the linear dimension of the apparatusmay be between one and one-half (1.5) inches and six and one-half (6.5)inches.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to anyspecifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated rangeincludes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both ofthose included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, the technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limitednumber of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

In the present disclosure, when an element (e.g., component, circuit,device, apparatus, structure, layer, material, or the like) is referredto as being “on,” “coupled to,” or “connected to” another element, theelements can be directly on, directly coupled to, or directly connectedto each other, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, whenan element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly coupled to,”or “directly connected to” another element, there are no interveningelements present.

The terms “include” and “comprise” as well as derivatives and variationsthereof, in all of their syntactic contexts, are to be construed withoutlimitation in an open, inclusive sense (e.g., “including, but notlimited to”). The term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, can be understood as meaning to include, be included within,interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with,couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave,juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a propertyof, or the like.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” and variations thereof means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of thephrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

In the present disclosure, the terms first, second, etc., may be used todescribe various elements, however, these elements are not to be limitedby these terms unless the context clearly requires such limitation.These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Forexample, a first machine could be termed a second machine, and,similarly, a second machine could be termed a first machine, withoutdeparting from the scope of the inventive concept.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” in the present disclosureinclude plural referents unless the content and context clearly dictatesotherwise. The conjunctive terms, “and” and “or” are generally employedin the broadest sense to include “and/or” unless the content and contextclearly dictates inclusivity or exclusivity as the case may be. Thecomposition of “and” and “or” when recited herein as “and/or”encompasses an embodiment that includes all of the elements associatedthereto and at least one more alternative embodiment that includes fewerthan all of the elements associated thereto.

In the present disclosure, conjunctive lists make use of a comma, whichmay be known as an Oxford comma, a Harvard comma, a serial comma, oranother like term. Such lists are intended to connect words, clauses orsentences such that the thing following the comma is also included inthe list.

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application PCT/US2020/042653 filed Jul.17, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/966,919, filed Jan. 28, 2020,is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, ifnecessary to employ concepts of the various patents, application andpublications to provide yet further embodiments.

In the description herein, specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the various example embodiments. Itshould be appreciated that various modifications to the embodiments willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments andapplications without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. Moreover, in the following description, numerous details areset forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skillin the art should understand that embodiments may be practiced withoutthe use of these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and processes are not shown or described in order to avoidobscuring the description with unnecessary detail. Thus, the presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but isinstead to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand features disclosed herein. Hence, these and other changes can bemade to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. Ingeneral, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construedto limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in thespecification but should be construed to include all possibleembodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for positioning and retaining aRogowski coil around a conductor, the apparatus comprising: a firstmember including a first retention structure configured to receive afirst section of the Rogowski coil; a second member including a secondretention structure configured to receive a second section of theRogowski coil; a coupling mechanism configured to movably deploy atleast one of the first member and the second member relative to eachother and around the conductor; and a non-conductive securing structureconfigured to engage the conductor and retain the first member and thesecond member in fixed positions relative to the conductor and to eachother.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is ahinge, wherein a first part of the hinge is integrated with or attachedto the first member, wherein a second part of the hinge is integratedwith or attached to the second member, and wherein the second part ofthe hinge is configured to receive the first part of the hinge.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first retention structure andthe second retention structure is an L-shaped or U-shaped bracket. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retention structure and thesecond retention structure face each other after the coupling mechanismdeploys the first member relative to the second member and around theconductor.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member and thesecond member are non-conductive.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe securing structure includes a first arched element and a secondarched element, the first arched element engaging the conductor andretaining the first member in a fixed position relative to theconductor, the second arched element engaging the conductor andretaining the second member in a fixed position relative to theconductor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first arched elementincludes a tab that is insertable into and out of a first pocket definedby the first member and wherein the second arched element includes a tabthat is insertable into and out of a second pocket defined by the secondmember.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a bindingmechanism configured to bind the first member and the second membertogether.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the binding mechanismincludes a zip tie.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the couplingmechanism includes a zip tie.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: thefirst member is a first fin, the first fin including a first fin bodyand a first bracket, the first fin body defining a first coil apertureand a first coupling mechanism aperture, the first coil aperture beingpositioned proximate an end of the first fin body furthest from thefirst bracket, the first coupling mechanism aperture being positionedproximate an end of the first fin body nearest the first bracket, thefirst coil aperture being further defined by one or more internal wallsof the first fin body; the second member is a second fin, the second finincluding a second fin body and a second bracket, the second fin bodydefining a second coil aperture and a second coupling mechanismaperture, the second coil aperture being positioned proximate an end ofthe second fin body furthest from the second bracket, the secondcoupling mechanism aperture being positioned proximate an end of thesecond fin body nearest the second bracket, the second coil aperturebeing further defined by one or more internal walls of the second finbody; the first retention structure includes the one or more internalwalls of the first fin body; the second retention structure includes theone or more internal walls of the second fin body; the couplingmechanism includes a zip tie positioned through at least the firstcoupling mechanism aperture and the second coupling mechanism aperture;and the securing structure includes the first bracket and the secondbracket.
 12. An apparatus for positioning and retaining a Rogowski coilaround a conductor, the apparatus comprising: a first member defining afirst pocket and including a first bracket configured to receive a firstsection of the Rogowski coil; a second member defining a second pocketand including a second bracket configured to receive a second section ofthe Rogowski coil; a coupling mechanism configured to movably deploy atleast one of the first member and the second member relative to eachother and around the conductor; a first non-conductive arched elementincluding a tab that is insertable into and out of the first pocket, thefirst arched element configured to engage the conductor and retain thefirst member in a fixed position relative to the conductor when at leastone of the first member and the second member is movably deployed aroundthe conductor; and a second non-conductive arched element including atab that is insertable into and out of the second pocket, the secondarched element configured to engage the conductor opposite the firstarched element and retain the second member in a fixed position relativeto the conductor and the first member when at least one of the firstmember and the second member is movably deployed around the conductor.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the first bracket and thesecond bracket is L-shaped or U-shaped.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12,further comprising: a binding mechanism configured to bind the firstmember and the second member together.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the first bracket and the second bracket face each other afterthe coupling mechanism deploys the first member relative to the secondmember and around the conductor.
 16. An apparatus for positioning andretaining a Rogowski coil around a conductor, the apparatus comprising:a first non-conductive fin configured to receive a first section of theRogowski coil, the first fin including a first fin body and a firstbracket, the first fin body defining a first coil aperture and a firstcoupling mechanism aperture, the first coil aperture being positionedproximate an end of the first fin body furthest from the first bracket,the first coupling mechanism aperture being positioned proximate an endof the first fin body nearest the first bracket, the first coil aperturebeing further defined by one or more internal walls of the first finbody; a second non-conductive fin configured to receive a second sectionof the Rogowski coil, the second fin including a second fin body and asecond bracket, the second fin body defining a second coil aperture anda second coupling mechanism aperture, the second coil aperture beingpositioned proximate an end of the second fin body furthest from thesecond bracket, the second coupling mechanism aperture being positionedproximate an end of the second fin body nearest the second bracket, thesecond coil aperture being further defined by one or more internal wallsof the second fin body; and a zip tie positioned through at least thefirst coupling mechanism aperture and the second coupling mechanismaperture; wherein the first bracket and the second bracket form at leastpart of a securing structure configured to engage the conductor andretain the first member and the second member in fixed positionsrelative to the conductor and to each other.
 17. The apparatus of claim16, further comprising: a third non-conductive fin configured to receivea third section of the Rogowski coil, the third fin including a thirdfin body and a third bracket, the third fin body defining a third coilaperture and a third coupling mechanism aperture, the third coilaperture being positioned proximate an end of the third fin bodyfurthest from the third bracket, the third coupling mechanism aperturebeing positioned proximate an end of the third fin body nearest thethird bracket, the third coil aperture being further defined by one ormore internal walls of the third fin body, wherein the first bracket,the second bracket, and the third bracket form at least part of thesecuring structure.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one ormore internal walls of the first fin body support the first section ofthe Rogowski coil, the one or more internal walls of the second fin bodysupport the section of the Rogowski coil, and the one or more internalwalls of the third fin body support the third section of the Rogowskicoil.